Ellis Collective return to Wintermoon

WHEN The Ellis Collective touched down in Canberra after playing at the Wintermoon Festival last year, front man Matt Ellis sent an email to the organisers saying the band would love to return and perform.

And this year the band will return to the festival, which will be held over the May Day long weekend, at Camerons Pocket.

“It is such a beautiful place, when we went there last year we did not know what to expect, but it had this great hippy vibe and it is such a beautiful spot.

“I think what makes a great festival comes down to its location,” Ellis said.

The band has recently won Triple J Unearthed competition and will launch its debut album Mean What it Mean as part of Wintermoon.

Joining The Ellis Collective will be local talent Charlotte Boumford and Swoon, along with the Lamplights, The Old Boys Gospel Band, The Fat Cigars, Pearl, Dave Flower Band and many more stellar acts.

Triple J’s Richard Kingsmill praised the “classic Australian sound” of The Ellis Collective as its second single 7 Days Later took out the latest Unearthed competition.

To accompany these accolades, the band was also added to the line-up of Australia’s biggest regionally touring festival ‘Groovin The Moo’ alongside a bevy of massive names including Architecture In Helsinki, Datarock and House Of Pain.

Winning Triple J Unearthed is the latest highlight for the indie-folk six-piece since the release of their first single in February.

Stepping away from the spotlight in 2010 to focus solely on recording, The Ellis Collective have carefully crafted a studio sound that remains faithful to their unflinching live performances.

The Ellis Collective’s debut album Means What It Means (out May 2011) was lovingly recorded on old-school two-inch tape at Infidel Studios and is a captivating record of brutally honest Australian song-writing.

The album underscores The Ellis Collective’s ability to seamlessly blend and borrow from a diverse range of styles, wielding an ambidextrous musicality to create a sound that is undeniably unique and unmistakably Australian. Featuring vocals that echo Gareth Liddiard with lyrics to evoke John Darnielle and Conor

Oberst set against a backdrop of soaring string sections and multi-layered harmonies, The Ellis Collective takes an unconventional approach to storytelling that recounts the jagged-edged disappointments of everyday Australian life.

Wintermoon is set in the foothills of the north-east boundary of the Eungella National Park, this quiet rural setting beside the beautiful St Helens Creek comes alive with hundreds of festival-goers seeking the wonderful world of music and the camaraderie with people who enjoy their escape to tranquillity.

As well as music, there are market stalls selling mostly hand-made items or offering massage or holistic health services. And you won’t go hungry either with a variety of fare from the Hare Krishna vegetarian food to the more familiar burgers and everything in between.

Campers are well catered for with facilities such as hot showers and plenty of toilets. The Wintermoon Festival began in 1996 as a tiny local event with locals as entertainers and audience. Word has spread about the beautiful location, and family-friendly atmosphere.